Opinions please, on tire selection:

[stan]

I just got a '01 2.3 Duratech , 5 speed and it came with mismatched tires. (Jeep wheels on the back, Ranger wheels on the front). I got a set of steel wheels for a Ranger and now I'm looking at tires in the 15 inch size. I drove my last Ranger about 2500 miles/year before it died a rusty-death. No off-roading or anything special. So, looking for opinions whether to get some lesser tires (Westlakes @ 336 for 4) or better tires (Hankook @ 436 for 4). My last set of tires on the '02 Ranger I had went for 8 years, still had good tread, but started to dry rot. I'll probably have these for a few years too.
I did a search, but didn't really see anything to help. Any input will be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Brain75]

One thing to keep in mind is that the DOT suggests 6 years maximum on a set of tires. New rubber compounds just aren't made to last, they are made to be better MPG, handling etc.... As such a lot of reputable tire shops (discount tire for example) will not rotate, air up, fix flat, or even touch a tire whose DOT stamp says 6 years and 1 day. That said, I, me, myself get to 6 years before they wear out and then rotate myself another year or 2 until they either wear out or start throwing chunks etc... Since it sounds like you drive the same amount of miles I would say go with the cheaper.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Personally, I have little use for anything but an aggressive AT tire because my stuff ends up off paved surfaces on a regular basis. The exception is possibly going to be my green Ranger once I finish lowering it and get the 18” rims on because it won’t be practical and there really aren’t much in the way of aggressive tires in the size I’m looking to run on it. Literally everything else I have has aggressive AT or mud tires. Personally I’m a fan of Mastercraft tires, Courser CT on the F-150, Courser MXT on the Choptop, currently Courser CXT on the green Ranger. Red Ranger has Kenda mud tires. Forget what’s on the dump truck currently. Dad’s Ranger has Courser CXT. Mom’s Explorer has Courser AXT.

It’s all in what you’re planning to do with the truck though as to what tire might be better. My rigs need to get me to where I’m going and back and I don’t like getting stuck. One of my favorite times to be out driving is when the snow has the roads so bad that almost nobody is venturing anywhere. My needs probably aren’t the same as yours when it comes to tire selection.

Personally I don’t like Hankook tires, I had their AT tires on my green Ranger when I bought it and they were about brand new. They had lousy wet grip and they sucked bad in the snow. They wore like iron though. There have been two sets of tires that I couldn’t wait for an excuse to replace them that lasted really long. Those Hankooks and the factory tires (Firestone Destination HT) that were on my blue Ranger when I got it. I’ve had a lot of mediocre tires and a few really terrible. Bunch of great tires but some of them don’t exist anymore. Another terrible tire was the Nexen Roadian AT, they sucked for performance in any condition (I literally needed 4x4 on a dry road to get going on a hill because I was smoking one tire but not going). Those things thankfully became banana peels in 12k miles.

 

[sgtsandman]

Whatever tire you decided to get, do some searches on reviews for them before you buy and don't go cheap. You don't have to go high end either. You can get a good tire for a moderate price in the current market. I can't make any recommendation on road tires since my only experience with them have been the ones that came with the truck. None of them were great. They were ok in some ways and horrible in others. I mostly run all terrains and mud tires because of what I use my truck for.

Also, as noted above, watch the age on your tires. Not only do you have weather checking and dry rot issues but tires that are too old can get hard and not grip the road all that well when wet or there is snow.

Pick a couple tires that strike your interest and research the heck out of them to make sure they are going to be a good buy before you spend the money.

 

[Brain75]

Jim (the big guy, the owner of the site) recently posted a thread on "where your tires are from" - might do a couple searches and find out where your tires are made. I have had miserable luck with all the asian stuff, except Japanese... if it comes from Malay, Singapoor, Korea, whatever other than Japan it is a hard pass for me.
I'd link it, but A) I am lazy at the moment, and B) I don't remember the thread title well enough to find it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Jim (the big guy, the owner of the site) recently posted a thread on "where your tires are from" - might do a couple searches and find out where your tires are made. I have had miserable luck with all the asian stuff, except Japanese... if it comes from Malay, Singapoor, Korea, whatever other than Japan it is a hard pass for me.
I'd link it, but A) I am lazy at the moment, and B) I don't remember the thread title well enough to find it.

Country of origin doesn't really matter, what specs it is made to does.

The worst tires I have had were made in the USA. The best is a close match between Thailand and Mexico

 

[Brain75]

What country were your tires made in?

Anyone have tires made in the good 'ole USA? Look at the DOT number on your side wall. The first (3) characters will tell you what country it was made in. You can look up the code here: Complete List of Tire DOT Plant Codes - With All Old and New Plant Codes | Wetherington Law Firm My tires...

www.therangerstation.com

 

[JohnnyO]

If you don't drive a lot I would just get what's cheap.
I've had good luck with Mastercraft, they're Cooper's bargain brand.
225/70-15 is your OE size.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I put the Hankook's on my '97 and don't have any regrets

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Westlakes from what ive read are garbage.

What size tires you need? The goodyear wrangler radials are a good tire, 105 a piece at china mart, but only come in a 235/75/15

 

[MT_PLS]

If you don't drive a lot I would just get what's cheap.
I've had good luck with Mastercraft, they're Cooper's bargain brand.
225/70-15 is your OE size.

I also have Mastercraft tires on my FFR. I have been pleasantly surprised at how well they have taken everything I throw at them.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

You never know, but your driving habits could change and you might need to use your Ranger more.

Get the better tires. You won't regret it. The Kumhos I have on my Ranger now were more expensive than the Hankooks you mention, but I have found them worth every penny.